Introduction to My Adventures in Metal Detecting
Dirt Fishing Adventures
A little over a year ago my dad mentioned something about how he always wanting to go metal detecting. I figured it would be a good way for us to connect and spend some time together, and I'd never worn long socks and sandals at the beach before... So for a Christmas gift I purchased him a metal detector and one for myself. Who would have known it would have lead me to down this glorious path!
I have become obsessed, like Gollum with his "precious"....
This hobby is addictive!
It's like playing a slot machine in the ground. Will you pull out a hundred year old silver coin? Or is it another piece of aluminum can? And so you dig... and dig... and dig... in the hopes that that next hole contains something precious!
And you know what? Sometimes it does!
And sometimes you find things that are entertaining or mysterious!
And sometimes you just get a reminder that Disco Still Sucks!
But what I have found to be the most rewarding thing about my new adventure in metal detecting - apart from my affininty for digging holes and the quality time with my Dad - It's discovering the history behind these treasures that you find. Reconnecting someone with a class ring or discovering that a Union Soldier dropped a button right where you're standing... That's the real thrill of metal detecting!
Equipment
I thought I'd make a list of the equipment I currently use and would recommend for the beginner. I put a fair amount of testing time and research into this metal detecting equipment. There are much more expensive items, but for a single working dad I have found that these things serve me very well on a budget... Hopefully this will save you some time and money if you want to start. Also, if you pick up any of the equipment I would be happy to help you with any questions you have. Perhaps it will save you some of the learning pains I've gone through. Just an FYI, I accumulated this over a period of time and the only thing you necessarily must have is a shovel and a metal detector. The other items just make recovery time faster.
Here's a link if you're interested in purchasing a Teknetics Eurotek Pro. I would highly recommend it for a beginner and intermediate machine. It's inexpensive at less than $150 and does as well as much more expensive machines:
Also a good pinpointer is highly recommend. I have tried a few and I prefer the Garrett "Carrot" or Pinpointer Pro AT as it's water proof and very resilient to the beating I put it through:
As far as shovels... I have purchased and used several, at all different price points, and found that a good trenching shovel is my personal favorite. Here's a couple of options. I wouldn't pay much more more than $30 for one.
http://amzn.to/2udU0Mf
http://amzn.to/2fhsdDG
Lastly, I would look into a small handheld spade or lesche knife. I splurged on this Garrett and have been impressed with its durability.
I hope you found this entertaining and educational. I love sharing this hobby with others and hope that some of you will be inspired to dig up and share some treasures of your own! If you liked this blog post and would like to see more of my Dirt Fishing Adventures please let me know!!!!
Sounds like a great way to spend time with your dad. The treasures are a bonus.
Good post! I'm going to follow you to see more post like this and for support us!
Thank you for this! I've been wanting to do this for ages now! I can never seem to pull together the funds (husband chronically ill) but I really need to find a way. Our farm used to be a turpentine forest and before that it's been said that indians passed through several times a year hunting. We also have a battlefield close by and Im betting I'll find some civil war stuff. I find peices of clay pots in my garden all the time already! It's so thrilling to know that at some point in time, another human was standing right where you are, feeling the heat of the sun and sweating into the ground I am now working. It's a very real connection to history and becomes part of our legacy as well.
Thank you for sharing your treasures, those are awesome!
Thank you! Sounds like you have an amazing spot to metal detect! I hope Steem opens some doors for you and you finally get a your chance. It can be a lot of fun.
Awesome! I'm bookmarking this so I can come back later on my computer to check out the links. My brother and I were talking the other day how it would be cool to get into this. :-)
Thanks! If you have any questions let me know! It's a blast. I found a Buffalo Nickel today in my front yard.
I love metal detecting! My grandfather started the passion and my dad fed it and now I dig with my boys all the time in our backyard, old homestead!
I love metal detecting! I have a lot of time water detecting as I used to live in Hawaii. Gold rings man, gold rings. ;P
Applied history. Nice.
That's quite the pile of interesting stuff in the last picture!
I've been talking about getting a metal detector for a while now, it just hasn't gotten to the top of the list yet.
Learnt something new today. Good article.
hiya i was just checking to see the best tag to use for metal detecting? cool heads tails token :) followed
Sorry for the late reply, I'm not really sure I have an answer for you. I've tried history, adventure, metaldetecting. I think this is something I'm still trying to figure out. If you get any advice let me know too!